Tape recorder apparatus



April 30, 1963 2 Sheets-Sheet 1' Filed June 3, 1960 J. P. WREN 3,087,686

TAPE RECORDER APPARATUS 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 April 30, 1963 Filed June 3,1960 a 0 5M M av 52 JM M rwh w I I v v I I I I I I I I A t If UnitedStates Patent 3,087,686 TAPE RECORDER APPARATUS John Pelham Wren,Swindon, England, assignor to The Garrard Engineering and ManufacturingCompany Limited, Swindon, England Filed June 3, 1960, Ser. No. 33,748

Claims priority, application Great Britain July 30, 1959 Claims. (Cl.242-6513) such, that the tape, in passing from one spool to the other,

follows a path in which the tape forms an unobstructed bridge portionspanning a gap between salient portions of the magazine, which bridgeportion, when the magazine is placed upon the deck with the tape deckspindles engaging the centre holes of the tape spools, is suitablylocated within a gate made up of the magnetic head or heads and the tapedrive means of the deck, the magazine carrying a dis-placeable brakewhich acts upon both tape spools and which co-operates with brakerelease means provided upon the deck for releasing the brake to permitrotation of the tape spools.

The present invention consists in a tape recorder deck in associationwith tape spool means, of the type indicated, wherein the brake, meanson the tape spool means and the brake release means on the deck arearranged for interlocking engagement, when the brake release means isactuated, so that the magazine is locked against removal from the tapedeck.

The invention further consists in a tape recorder deck in associationwith tape spool means, as set forth in the preceding paragraph, whereinthe displaceable brake on the tape spool means includes brake blockmeans carried upon a spring loaded plunger which projects from the tapespool magazine, and the brake release means on the deck includes a postprojecting from the surface of the tape deck and displaceable in adirection towards and away from the plunger such that when the magazineis in position on the deck the plunger is displaced by the release meansagainst its spring-loading and releases the brake and the plunger andbrake release means interlock to prevent removal of the magazine fromthe deck. Preferably, the brake release post is mechanically connectedto, for example, the on/off or other operating switch of the tape deckso that when this switch is operated the post is displaced to releasethe magazine brake simultaneously locking the magazine in position uponthe tape deck. It is also preferred that the brake block means shouldcomprise a common friction block which is urged under the influence ofthe spring-loading into a wedging position between the peripheries ofthe two tape spools within the magazine where they are closely adjacent,the .brake being mounted for limited free lateral movement between thespools such that when the brake is applied a self-centering eifect isalforded which ensures equal application of the brake to both spools.The limited free lateral movement may be afiorded, for example, byloosely mounting the plunger in guides, by loosely mounting the brakeblock on the plunger, or by a combination of both of these measures.

The invention still further consists in a tape recorder 3,087,686Patented Apr. 30, 1963 deck in association with tape spool means as setforth in the preceding paragraph, wherein the plunger and post arearranged for rectilinear movement in a direction parallel to the surfaceof the tape deck. In one preferred form the post is formed with a recessor abutment in or under which the end of the plunger is trapped when thebrake release mean-sis actuated.

The invention still further consists in a tape recorder deck inassociation with tape spool means, as set forth in any of the threepreceding paragraphs, wherein the tape spools are floatingly mountedwithin the magazine and the magazine and the tape spools are so devised,having regard to the tape spool spindles on the tape deck, that when themagazine is in situ on the tape deck, the tape deck spindles engage thetape spools and drivingly support them clear of contact with the wallsof the magazine. Where the tape spools are floatingly mounted within themagazine in this manner, and the magazine and deck are provided with abrake plunger and post arranged for rectilinear movement in a directionparallel to the surface of tape deck, as set out in the precedingparagraph, the tape deck is provided with magazine-locating guide meanson the side of the magazine when in situ which is remote from the sideon which the brake plunger projects.

The magazine-locating guide means comprise abutment means against whichthe magazine is thrust under the combined action of the brake-releasepost and the springloading of the brake plunger so locating the magazineaccurately in a position where there can be no contact between the innerwalls of the magazine and the spools.

In order to assist in the location of the spools on the tape deckspindles the latter have tapering end portions so that they areshell-nosed, projecting means being provided on the spindles adapted toengage with co-op crating means on the tape spools to effect a drivingengagement therewith. Thus, for example, the projecting means on thetape deck spindles'comprise spring-loaded pins which will automaticallylocate themselves in the driving slots conventionally provided in thespools as soon as rotation of the spindles commences, even if the magazine has been placed on the tape deck so that initially the slots in thespools are not in register with the projecting pins on the tape deckspindles.

It is preferred to form the spools and the magazine therefor so as tocomprise a reversible unit so that the magazine may be placed upon thetape deck with either face downwards, so enabling two recording andreplay tracks to be utilized on the tape in known manner.

In the accompanying drawings:

FIGURE 1 is a diagrammatic plan view of a tape recorder deck inassociation with tape spool means, according to the present invention,and

FIGURE 2 is a section taken on the line 22 of FIG- URE 1.

In carrying the invention into effect according to one convenient modeby way of example, a tape recorder deck is indicated generally as 1 andtape spool means, shown in position on the deck, as 2.

The tape spool means includes a pair of tape spools 3 which constitutefeed and take-up spools in conventional manner for a reel of magnetictapes4. The spools are enclosed within a flat container or magazine 5formed by upper and lower magazine portions held together by means ofclips '6 to permit the removal of the spools 3 and tape 4 from themagazine if desired.

The magazine 5 is formed with salient portions 5a having tape guides 7at their extremities, so that the tape 4- in passing from one spool 3 tothe other follows a path in which the tape 4 forms an unobstructedbridge portion 4a spanning the gap between the salient portions 5a ofthe magazine.

When the magazine is placed upon the tape deck, as shown in FIGURES 1and 2, with the tape deck spindles 8 engaging the centre holes 9 of thetape spools 3, the bridge portion 4a is arranged to be located within agate made up of a magnetic head housing 10, carrying an erase head 11and a record/replay head 12, a pressure assembly 13, carrying arms 14and pressure pad 15 for ensuring intimate contact between the magnetictape and the erase and record/replay heads respectively, a capstan drive16 and a pinch-roller 17 for co-operation with the capstan drive 16 fordriving the magnetic tape during record or replay.

For use, the gate is arranged to be closed onto the bridge portion 4a inthe manner to be described more fully hereinafter.

The magazine 5 carries a displaceable brake consisting of a brake blockin the form of a common friction block 18 carried at one end of aplunger 19 which is spring loaded by means of spring 20 into a positionin which the friction block is located in a wedging position between theperipheries of the two tape spools 3 within the magazine 5. The frictionblock 18 is loosely mounted on the plunger 19 which itself is looselymounted for 1ongitudinal movement within guides (not shown) on thestructure of the magazine 5 in order that the friction block 18 mayperform limited free lateral movements between the spools so that whenthe brake is applied a self-centering effect of the block 18 is achievedto ensure equal application of the block to both spools.

For the purpose of releasing the brake from the tape spools in themagazine during, record, replay, or fast wind operations, the tape deckis provided with brake release means consisting of a post 21 projectingfrom the tape deck plate 22 and displaceable in a directionlongitudinally of the plunger 19 when the magazine is in position on thedeck.

A control knob 23 and a wind knob 24 are provided on the tape deck forenabling the following operations to be carried out.

Control knob 23, shown in FIGURE 1 in the off position, may be movedtowards the left for playing the magnetic tape within the magazine ortowards the right for the purpose of imposing a recording upon themagnetic tape.

In either case control cam 25 on the control knob shaft 39 is rotated tocause firstly the control arm 26 and the operating arm 27 to pivotanti-clockwise together against the tension of spring 29 about thepivotal point of connection 28 of the operating arm 27 to the tape deckplate 22.

In this way the pressure assembly 13 and the pinchroller 17 carried onthe operating arm 27 are brought against the bridge portion 4a of themagnetic tape urging it against the magnetic heads 11 and 12 and thecapstan 16.

Further rotation of cam 25 causes the control arm 26 to pivotanti-clockwise about its point of pivotal connection 30 to the operatingarm 27, increasing the compression of spring 30a and applying pressurevia the pressure assembly 13 and the pinch roller 17 to the magnetictape against the heads 11 and 12 and the capstan '16.

An adjustable stop 31 is provided for adjusting the relative positionsof the operating and control levers in the unoperated position.

Furthermore, the anticlockwise rotation of the control lever 26, causedby rotation of the control cam 25 in either direction, also causes thebrake operating link 32 to be pulled towards the front of the deck bymeans of a pivot pin 33 on the control lever 26 and located in a slot33a in the operating link 32.

Forward movement of the link 32 causes rotation of the brake releaselever 34, to which the link 32 is pivotally connected at 35, in ananti-clockwise direction about the point of pivotal connection 36 of thebrake release lever 34 to the tape deck plate 22.

Pivoted also to this point 36, and biassed by means of spring 37 in aclockwise direction, is wind lever 38.

Movement of the wind knob 24 towards the front of the deck will causethe wind lever 38 to engage an abutment 34:: on the brake release lever34, but by virtue of the slot 33 in the brake operating link 32,movement of the wind knob will not cause movement of the control oroperating levers.

Rotation of the brake release lever 34 in an anti-clockwise direction(caused by actuation of either control or wind knob 23 or 24), causesthe movement towards the rear of the deck of the brake arm 40, to whichthe release lever 34 is pivotally connected at 41, and the post 21carried on the arm 40, against the influence of spring 37 acting via aswitch bell-crank 42, one arm 42a of which rests against a fixed pin 43on the arm 40. The rearward end of arm 49 is bifurcated as at 40a andguided by a post 49 secured to an adjacent component 50 of the deck.

Arm 42b on the b'ellcrank 42 actuates switch 44 when the bellorank 42 isrotated in an anti-clockwise direction about pivot 45 by rearwardmovement of the brake arm 40 and its pin 43. Actuation of switch 44completes electrical circuits (not shown) in known manner to effect thedesired function of the deck.

A switch (not shown) is connected to the control knob shaft 39 so thatwhen the control knob is actuated, the desired electrical circuits arecompleted to the means for driving the capstan 16 and tape spools 3 andto the magnetic head or heads.

The post 21 is provided with recess 21a into which fits a tongue 19aformed at the end of the plunger 19 remote from the friction block 18when the post 21 is displaced to release the brake.

In this way during operation of the deck, the tongue 19a is trapped inthe recess and the magazine 5 is locked against removal from the deck.

The tape spools 3 are fioatingly mounted within the magazine 5 beingmaintained approximately in position by the general shape of themagazine, but no fixed axes are provided for the spools. The magazineand tape spools are so devised, having regard to the tape spool spindles8 on the deck, that when the magazine 5 is in situ on the deck, the tapedeck spindles engage the tape spools and drivingly support them clear ofcontact with the walls of the magazine.

In order to assist in the location of the spools on the tape deckspindles 3, the latter have tapering end portions so that they areshell-nosed. Projecting means in the rform of spring loaded pins 46 areprovided on the spindles 8 and are adapted to engage in one of the threenotches 47 conventionally formed around the centre holes 9 of the tapespools 3, to etfect a driving engagement therewith. As soon as rotationof the spindles 8 commences, the pins 46 will automatically locatethemselves in the notches 47, even if the magazine has been placed onthe tape deck so that initially the notches in the spools are not inregister with the projecting pins on the tape deck spindles.

The magazine is formed as a reversible unit so that it may be placedupon the tape deck with either side downwards, so enabling two recordingand replay tracks to be utilized upon the one tape in known manner.

In order to prevent displacement of the magazine on the tape deckrelative to the tape spools therein when the brake release means isactuated to engage the plunger of the displaceable brake, the tape deckplate 22 is provided with magazine-locating guide means in the form ofabutments 48 on the side of the magazine when in situ which is remotefrom the side on which the brake plunger 19 projects.

When the brake release means is actuated, the magazine is thrust againstthe abutments 48 under the combined action of the brake-release post 21and the spring-loading of the brake plunger 19 so locating the magazineaccurately in a position where there can be no contact between the innerwalls of the magazine 5 and the spools 3.

Various modifications may be made within the scope of the presentinvention.

I claim:

1 In combination, a recording tape magazine; a pair of spaced spool-s insaid magazine for transfer of tape therebetween; brake means movablymounted in said magazine; means biasing said brake means to arrestinglyengage both of said spools; a tape recorder deck arranged forcooperative mounting or" said magazine thereon; brake release means onsaid deck selectively operable to a brake release position to move saidbrake means to release said spools; manual actuating means on said deckconnected to said brake release means and selectively actuable tooperate said brake release means to the brake release position; andcooperating means on said brake release means and said brake meansinteren-gaged in said brake release position to lock said magazine tosaid deck.

2. The combination claimed in claim 1, in which said brake meansincludes a brake block means and a plunger mounting said brake blockmeans and having an operating end projecting from said magazine; saidbiasing means including a spring loading said plunger to engage saidbrake block means with both of said spools; said brake release meanscomprising a post projecting from the upper surface of said deck anddisplaceable toward and away from the operating end of said plunger;said cooperating means being formed on the operating end of said plungerand on said post.

3. The combination claimed in claim 2 in which said plunger and saidpost are arranged for rectilinear movement in a direction parallel tothe surface of said deck.

4. In combination, a recording tape magazine; a pair of spaced spools insaid magazine for transfer of tape therebetween; brake means movablymounted in said magazine; means biasing said brake means to arrestinglyengage both of said spools; a tape recorder deck arranged forcooperative mounting of said magazine thereon; brake release means onsaid deck selectively operable to a brake release position to move saidbrake means to release said spools; and cooperating means on said brakerelease means and said brake means interengaged in said brake releaseposition to lock said magazine to said deck; said brake means includinga brake block means and a plunger mounting said brake block means andhaving an operating end projecting from said magazine; said biasingmeans including a spring loading said plunger to engage said brake blockmeans with both of said spools; said brake release means comprising apost projecting from the upper surface of said deck and displacea'bletoward and away from the operating and of said plunger; said cooperatingmeans being formed on the operating end of said plunger and on saidpost, and including an abutment projecting from the outer end of saidpost toward the operating end of said plunger, and engageable over theoperating end of said plunger in said brake release position.

5. The combination claimed in claim 2, in which said cooperating meansincludes an abutment projecting from the outer end of said post towardthe operating end of said plunger, and engageable over the operating endof said plunger in said brake release position.

6. In combination, a recording tape magazine, a pair of spaced spool-sin said magazine for transfer of tape therebetween; brake means movablymounted in said magazine; means biasing said brake means to arrestinglyengage both of said spools; a tape recorder deck arranged forcooperative mounting of said magazine thereon; brake release means onsaid deck selectively operable to a brake release position to move saidbrake means to release said spools; and cooperating means on said brakerelease means and said brake means interengaged in said brake releaseposition to lock said magazine to said deck; said tape recorder deckincluding a pair of spaced spindles arranged to engage within saidspools; said spools being floatingly mounted in compartments formed insaid magazine, each of said compartments including circular peripheralwall portions concentric with each other and having a radius orcurvature in excess of that of the peripheries of said spools; saidspindles, when engaged with said spools, drivingly supporting the latterwith clearance with respect to said circular wall portions.

7. The combination claimed in claim 6, in which said brake meansincludes brake block means mounted upon a plunger having an operatingend projecting from the magazine; said biasing means comprising a springloading said plunger; said brake release means including a postprojecting from the surface of the tape deck and displaceable toward andaway from said plunger; magazine locating guide means on said tape decktoward the side of the magazine remote from that from which theoperating end of said plunger projects; said guide means being sopositioned that, when said magazine is biased against said guide meansunder the combined action of said post and the spring loading of thebrake plunger, said spindles are concentric with said circularperipheral wall portions so that there is radial clearance between theperipheries of said spools and said circular wall portions.

8. In combination, a recording tape magazine; a pair of spaced spools insaid magazine for transfer of tape therebetween; brake means movablymounted in said magazine; means biasing said brake means to arrestinglyengage both of said spools; a tape recorder deck arranged forcooperative mounting of said magazine thereon; brake release means onsaid deck selectively operable to a brake release position to move saidbrake means to release said spools; and cooperating means on said brakerelease means and said brake means interengaged in said brake releaseposition to lock said magazine to said deck; said brake means includinga brake block means and a plunger mounting said brake block means andhaving an operating end projecting from said magazine; said biasingmeans including a spring loading said plunger to engage said brake blockmeans with both of said spools; said brake release means comprising apost projecting from the upper surface of said deck and displaceabletoward and away from the operating end of said plunger; said cooperatingmeans being formed on the operating end of said plunger and on saidpost; an operating switch on said deck; and means mechanicallyconnecting said post with said operating switch to operate the latterupon movement of said post to the brake release position.

9. In combination, a recording tape magazine, a pair of spaced spools insaid magazine for transfer of tape thenebetween; brake means movablymounted in said magazine; means biasing said brake means to arrestinglyengage both of said spools; a tape recorder deck arranged forcooperative mounting of said magazine thereon; brake release means onsaid deck selectively operable to a brake release position to move saidbrake means to release said spools; and cooperating means on said brakerelease means and said brake means interengaged in said brake releaseposition to lock said magazine to said deck; said brake means comprisinga wedge shape brake block, of friction material, biased into a wedgingposition between the peripheries of the two spools at a location wherethese peripheries are closely adjacent to each other.

10. The combination claimed in claim 9, wherein said wedge shape brakeblock is mounted for free lateral movement between the spools forself-centering engagement with both spools.

11. The combination claimed in claim 10, wherein said wedge shape brakeblock is mounted on a plunger and said plunger is mounted for play withrespect to said magazine to provide such free lateral movement.

12. The combination claimed in claim 10, including a mounting plungerfor said wedge shape brake block; said brake block being loosely mountedon said plunger to provide such free lateral movement.

13. The combination claimed in claim 6, in which said spindles havetapering end portions engageable in said spools.

14. The combination claimed in claim 6, said' spools being formed withcentral circular apertures to receive said spindles and with angularlyspaced radial slots extending from said apertures; and spring loadedpins on the outer ends of said spindles for engaging in said slots fordriving of said spools.

15. The combination claimed in claim 1, in which said magazine includesa pair of parallel walls between which said spools are disposed; saidmagazine being arranged as a reversible unit with either of said wallsin engagement with the surface of said tape recorder deck.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS2,584,733 Owens Feb. 5, 1952 2,804,508 M-astling et al. Aug. 27, 19572,894,700 Roberts et al. July 14, 1959 2,914,620 Dale Nov. 24, 19592,919,866 Minott Jan. 5, 1960 2,989,261 Gillette et a1 June 20, 1961

1. IN COMBINATION, A RECORDING TAPE MAGAZINE; A PAIR OF SPACED SPOOLS INSAID MAGAZINE FOR TRANSFER OF TAPE THEREBETWEEN; BRAKE MEANS MOVABLYMOUNTED IN SAID MAGAZINE; MEANS BIASING SAID BRAKE MEANS TO ARRESTINGLYENGAGE BOTH OF SAID SPOOLS; A TAPE RECORDER DECK ARRANGED FORCOOPERATIVE MOUNTING OF SAID MAGAZINE THEREON; BRAKE RELEASE MEANS ONSAID DECK SELECTIVELY OPERABLE TO A BRAKE RELEASE POSITION TO MOVE SAIDBRAKE MEANS TO RELEASE SAID SPOOLS; MANUAL ACTUATING MEANS ON SAID DECKCONNECTED TO SAID BRAKE RELEASE MEANS AND SELECTIVELY ACTUABLE TOOPERATE SAID BRAKE RELEASE MEANS TO THE BRAKE RELEASE POSITION; ANDCOOPERATING MEANS ON SAID BRAKE RELEASE MEANS AND SAID BRAKE MEANSINTERENGAGED IN SAID BRAKE RELEASE POSITION TO LOCK SAID MAGAZINE TOSAID DECK.